Bathurst Goldminers are gearing up for a home semi-final this weekend after seeing off hosts Sydney University Lions in the last game of the men’s Youth League regular season.
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The combined strength of returning players Matt Gray (24 points) and Zak Simons (17) was too much for the struggling Lions to handle in a 92-65 result on Saturday.
Goldminers dominated the match to such an extent that they were able to spend extended periods experimenting with their lineups and plays.
Bathurst took a 36-22 lead into the break but still hadn’t kicked their game into second gear.
When the visitors upped the tempo there was little the Lions could offer in reply.
Goldminers have finished second in their pool and have earned hosting rights for this Sunday’s crossover semi-final meeting against the St George Saints.
’Miners coach Andrew Osborn said the gulf in quality between the teams was evident from the opening minutes.
“Essentially the game was over after the first quarter and I said to our guys that all we had to do was win, it didn’t matter by how much. The score was irrelevant and they could just go out there and have fun,” he said.
“In the second half we experimented a bit and tried some new things out.
“We had some great energy with the ball in offence. Our movement down the court was sensational, and it reminded me a lot of how we looked during that middle part of the season when we were on our winning run.
“We got through the match with no injuries as well, which was great.”
Goldminers now look for a way through the Saints, who finished third in their pool after a dominant 117-69 win over Moss Vale Magic.
Osborn is tailoring training this week around overcoming the Saints’ offence.
“We’ll be back at full strength for the first time in a while,” he said.
“We have the psychological advantage over them because we beat them down there this season. In saying that, they’re going to be on a high from beating Moss Vale.
“I know the St George offence and that they love setting screens. Our focus over the first half of training will be on getting around that. The next half will be a scrimmage against some of last year’s State League guys to prepare us for St George’s physicality.”
Goldminers will welcome back Will Cranston-Lown (overseas) and Blake Schaefer (injury) for the finals.
